Firmstone & Holt Conservative Team for St Alban’s Ward, 2026

Key Points

• Martin Firmstone, a Town and Country Planner and Conservative Candidate for St Alban’s Ward, Romford and Hornchurch, has 20 years of experience as a Planning Enforcement Officer in local government.
• He serves as Director of the Management Company for his court of flats and lives in St Alban’s Ward on Victoria Road.
• Councillor Judith Holt, recognisable by her hats, scarves, and handbags, has served the community for eight years, previously as Councillor for Romford Town and now St Alban’s Ward.
• The duo has worked together for four years, delivering newsletters, helping at Ward Surgeries, attending local events; Firmstone was selected as candidate a year ago.
• Holt emphasises helping with individual issues like housing, parking tickets, and broken paving stones.
• Both criticise the label “broken” for Havering, stressing that people, not just the council, define the area.
• Conservatives highlight need for cost-effective council operations and financial savings.
• Firmstone and Holt aim to continue as voices for Romford and Hornchurch residents for the next four years.

St Alban’s Ward, Romford and Hornchurch (East London Times) April 20, 2026 –St Alban’s Ward in Romford and Hornchurch has become a focal point for local elections as Conservative candidates Martin Firmstone and Councillor Judith Holt position themselves as a dedicated team committed to resident needs. Drawing on their combined experience in planning, enforcement, and community service, the pair emphasise practical support over broad promises.

Who is Martin Firmstone, the Conservative Candidate for St Alban’s Ward?

Martin Firmstone brings specialised expertise to his candidacy.

As a Town and Country Planner, he has spent the past twenty years working in local government as a Planning Enforcement Officer. He also serves as a Director of the Management Company of his court of flats.

This background equips him to address planning and enforcement issues directly.

“As well as being able to bring my professional knowledge to Havering Council, I live right here in St Alban’s Ward, in Victoria Road,” said Martin Firmstone, as reported in local community updates.

Firmstone has been a political activist in the ward for four years. He was selected as the Conservative Candidate a whole year ago—long before other parties named theirs.

What Experience Does Councillor Judith Holt Bring to St Alban’s Ward?

Councillor Judith Holt, instantly recognisable by her hats, scarves, and handbags, has served the Victoria Road and Brentwood Road area of Romford, plus the Park Lane and Globe Road area of Hornchurch, for eight years. She previously represented Romford Town and now stands for St Alban’s Ward.

Holt focuses on individual resident concerns.

“Other parties speak of ‘big wins’ and ‘change’ – but I get most satisfaction in helping someone with something which matters particularly to them,”

said Councillor Holt.

“Their housing, a wrongful parking ticket, a broken paving stone – it all adds up as part of the bigger picture to help the people of Havering.”

Her approach prioritises the “little things” that impact daily life.

How Long Have Martin Firmstone and Judith Holt Worked Together?

The candidates have collaborated for four years, since the last local election. Firmstone noted their partnership:

“Judith and I have worked together for four years… I have delivered newsletters, helped at Ward Surgeries, attended local events… Judith and I work and get on really well together – we are a real team.”

This teamwork underscores their campaign as a united front for St Alban’s Ward.

Why Do They Reject the ‘Broken Havering’ Label?

Both candidates address criticisms of the borough.

“Having been a Councillor for eight years, I have come to realise that local councils as a whole do need a complete overhaul in the way they are run. They need to be much more cost-effective, which is why the Conservatives have identified financial savings,”

said Councillor Holt.

She added a firm rebuttal:

“However, I find it insulting to call Havering ‘broken’. It’s people who make a place, far more than the local council, and this is a slight on all those who live and work in Havering.”

This statement, quoted from community statements by the team fighting for residents across St Alban’s Ward, reflects their view that residents drive the area’s character.

What Makes Them the Ideal Team for St Alban’s Ward?

Firmstone’s professional experience in planning enforcement, combined with his residency in the ward, positions him to contribute directly to council decisions. Holt’s eight years of service provide continuity and proven engagement.

“Politics is about people,” said Martin Firmstone. Together, Martin Firmstone and Councillor Judith Holt look forward to serving as Conservative Councillors for St Alban’s Ward for the next four years, continuing to be voices for everyone in Romford and Hornchurch.

The campaign highlights their local roots—Firmstone on Victoria Road and Holt’s long-term service in adjacent areas—as key strengths.

Background of the Development

St Alban’s Ward, encompassing parts of Romford and Hornchurch in the Havering London Borough, forms a residential area with mixed housing, including flats and family homes along roads like Victoria Road, Brentwood Road, Park Lane, and Globe Road. Local elections in Havering occur every four years, with councillors handling planning, housing, enforcement, and community services.

Martin Firmstone’s selection as candidate one year prior to the election aligns with Conservative Party processes in the borough, where wards like St Alban’s elect pairs or teams to represent divisions. Councillor Judith Holt’s transition from Romford Town to St Alban’s follows standard ward boundary adjustments and re-elections.

The reference to Havering as potentially “broken” stems from ongoing debates in local politics about council efficiency, financial management, and service delivery, as noted in resident forums and party manifestos. Conservatives have campaigned on savings and overhauls, while Firmstone and Holt’s statements emerged from ward-specific outreach, including newsletters and surgeries.

This development occurs amid preparations for upcoming local elections, where planning enforcement and resident support remain core issues.

Predictions: How This Development Can Affect Residents of St Alban’s Ward

Residents of St Alban’s Ward may see continued focus on planning and enforcement matters if Firmstone and Holt secure seats, given Firmstone’s background. Individual issues like housing queries, parking disputes, and paving repairs could receive attention through Holt’s established surgeries and events.

The emphasis on cost-effective council operations might lead to proposals for financial savings, potentially influencing local budgets for services in Romford and Hornchurch areas. Rejection of the “broken” label could foster community pride, encouraging more resident participation in ward activities.